Production of artificial silk and the like

ABSTRACT

325,246. Borzykowski, B. May 11, 1928, [Convention date]. Divided on 311,391. Spindle apparatus. - To enable the washing, and if desired other liquid treatments, to be carried out on the cakes of artificial silk &amp;c. as obtained when spinning according to the centrifuge method, and particularly for the purpose of carrying out the process described in Specification 311,391, a resilient perforated sleeve v is inserted in the cake in order to protect the inner layers of thread. Further, in order that the cake may be more easily removed from the spinning pot, the latter may be provided with a removable perforated lining n, Figs. 2 and 3, formed of a plurality of parts provided with projecting ears o which engage with slots m formed on the interior of the spinning pot, while the lining is supported by ribs k; alternatively, existing pots may be used, a lining consisting of a multi-part ring n, Fig. 3, or of a resilient ring n&lt;1&gt;, Fig. 4, provided with supporting ribs s, being employed. To protect the threads, the lining or rings may be covered with muslin. During the formation of the cake, washing liquid is supplied through the spinning funnel; after the washing operation is completed, softening liquid is supplied to the spinning pot, the resilient perforated sleeve v having first been inserted in the cake. As an alternative, the spinning pot may be double-walled, as shown in Fig. 6, the space w between the inner perforated wall and the solid outer wall communicating with passages w&lt;1&gt; discharging at points near tne pocket for the spindle; and in this case the pot may be provided with an iner lining n. For the after-treatments the pot is mounted on a seating y, Fig. 6, forming part of a suction system z, and the cake washed or otherwise treated with liquid in the manner described in Specification 239,482, [Class 2 (ii), Cellulose &amp;c.], or the pot may be fitted with a tightly-fitting cover 2, Fig. 7, provided with a connection 3 through which liquid is forced; the resilient perforated sleeve v is preferably fitted in the interior of the cake during these treatments. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 297,118 [Class 2 (ii), Cellulose &amp;c.].

Oct-l3, 193

B. BORZYKOWSKI PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL SILK AND THE LIKE Original Filed March 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 13, 1936. v B. BORZYKOWSKI I 2,057,324

' PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL sILK AND THE LIKE Original. Filed March 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'IIIII/I/IA 'II Patented Oct. 13, 1936 UNlT stares PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL SILK AND THE LIKE Benno Borzykowski, Paris, France, assignor to BorviskSyndicate Ltd., London, England 10 Claims.

This invention relates to the production of artificial silk or other formations and has for its principal object to facilitate or improve the working up of artificial silk and the washing,

improvement and other treatments to which this material is subjected in the course of manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for the direct, that is, continuous, production of raw or purified twisted or untwisted artificial silk in pliant and wound form necessary for the textile industry, with elimination of the otherwise customary reeling, skeining and re-winding and the subsequent treatment of the 5 yarn in the strand or hank.

A further object is to provide treatment apparatus which is particularly suited to the carrying out of the process forming the subject of my co-pending patent application Serial No. 350,706, filed March 28, 1929 of which this application is a division.

A more specific object is to facilitate the production of artificial silk or other formations by the bobbin spinning method, by the provision of a twisting machine adapted forthe mounting of the spinning bobbins which carry the raw or treated untwisted artificial filament, in combination with winding devices which are adapted to bring the twisted filament directly into the wound form necessary for textile manufacture.

A further object is to enable washing, desulfurizing, bleaching, dyeing, softening and other treatments of artificial silk or the like to be readily, economically and efficaciously carried out 35 by the centrifugal or spinning can method by the provision of an elastic, perforated and contractible sleeve which is suitable for employment within the cake in the spinning can or box during the various treatments and bears on 40 the inner filament layers of the cake so as to prevent displacement of such layers and deformation of the cake.

The invention also provides a perforated ring or sleeve for exteriorly surrounding the spun cake in the spinning can and facilitating its treatment and the removal thereof from the can. This ring is preferably made in separable parts and/or elastic, if desired, so as to. facilitate its removal from the cake. The ring may have 50 exterior projections so that when in the can a space is provided around the cake which facilitates passage of the treatment fluids. Or as an alternative the ring or sleeve may be plain on the outside and the can provided with the pro- 55 jections on its interior. I

The invention further provides a modified form of can which is made double-walled to provide a space between the outer, imperforate Wall and the inner, perforated wall for passage of the treatment media. This form of can 5 enables the treatment liquid (such as washing water, desulfurization bath, bleaching bath, dyeing bath, reviving or brightening bath) to be drawn off under suction but obviously the can could be used in other ways, for instance 10 the treatment media might be passed through the layers of filaments alternately from the inside outwardly and the outside inwardly or forced through the layers from the inside of the can.

If desired the aforesaid perforated sleeves or rings may be lined with a porous material to prevent the filaments from entering the perforations in them. The inner sleeve may be retained in the cake during drying and unwinding of the filaments.

In order to enable the invention to be readily understood, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of one example of apparatus suitable for the twisting and winding of the artificial silk by the bobbinspinning method.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of parts seen in Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 are views of bobbins or cheeses wound on the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section elevation of an improved form of can or box for the centrifugal or can spinning, the figure also illustrating suitable forms of perforated expansible sleeve for insertion in and about the cake.

Figure 6 is a plan of Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a detached plan view of the external cake sleeve or ring in Figures 5 and 6. 40

Figure 8 is a like view of an alternative form of the external sleeve or ring, and

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are views similar to Figure 5, illustrating suitable constructions of double-walled spinning cans or boxes in accordance with the invention.

In the apparatus of Figure 1, the silk is taken on perforated spinning spools (Z) on which it has been washed and if desired after-treated in suitable manner for example that referred to in the 5 specification of my co-pending patent application aforesaid. Therefore, instead of the mounting means used with the hitherto commonly used twisting machine, the spinning spool (Z) is mounted on its spindle (2) by acone (2 and cap (2 Moreover, the twisted filament (F) running off from the spinning spool (Z) in balloon form is not, as heretofore, carried on to a hollow cylinder but on to a winding apparatus which is so constructed that a spindle (b) which may conveniently be conical, on which a conical pasteboard sleeve is mounted, is driven by a friction roller (a). The filament guide (01) moves forward and backward in Figure 1 with the required speed, so that the well known conical cross wound bobbins as required, for knit goods and knitting, result. In order to give the thread the necessary tension to produce a solid winding, it is passed through a suitable tension device (R Instead of a conical spindle (b) use may also be made of a cylindrical spindle on the same machine. I am thus able to obtain direct from the spinning spool (bobbin) in one operative step, in the first case a conical cross wound bobbin, as in Figure 3, and in the latter case a cylindrical cross wound bobbin as in Figure 4. In similar manner it is possible to produce also the cops or disc bobbins, when the winding apparatus is constructed correspondingly. It is possible to produce directly on the twisting machine raw, but pliable and bleached, even dyed, artificial silk in wound form as necessary for the textile industry; while still on the spinning spool or bobbin, in one operation, with the eliminating of all otherwise usual manipulations. For example, it is possible to dye, tone, size and otherwise treat the artificial silk on the spinning bobbins according to my Swiss Patents Nos. 115,282 and 119,877, by sucking through the desired dye bath even before drying the artificial silk on the spinning bobbin.

In Figures Sand 6, the cam (T) is provided on its interior with spaced ribs (a) and, at two or more points, with ribs (bb), which are located closely adjacent each other, and which form an intermediate recess (0). A perforated ring (R, Fig. '7) composed of one or more parts is inserted in the spinning can thus formed so that its crimped edge (d) engages in the corresponding slots (0, Fig. 6). After inserting the ring (R, Fig. '7) the centrifuge is set in operation and filament fed in through the funnel (U) whereby the cake (K) forms and applies itself. in known form against the perforated ring (R). In consideration of the fact that this ring (R) has relatively many and large perforations and that the ribs (a, b) provide for the existence of spaces between the ring and the inside of the can, it is possible, during the spinning or during formation of the cake, also to admit a washing liquid through the funnel (U) carrying the filaments to the spinning centrifuge, which neutralizes the filaments during the formation of the cakecand, after passage through the layers of filaments, is centrifuged off through the perforations in Rand in T. During the treatment, the elastic ring .(R, Fig. 7) is forced by the centrifugal force towards the walls of the rotating can and carried around therewith,

but the spinning can cover (W, Fig. 5) prevents the ring from being centrifuged out of the rotating spinning can.

In order to prevent the first spun filaments of the cake (K) lying against the ring (R), or the ring (R) hereinafter described, from being forced into the perforations of the ring, the latter is covered with a porous material, for example, muslin or netting (N) as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

- After finishing the washed out cake the spin- .ning can is tipped over so that the cake together with the ring (R) or (R) slips out on a suitable base or support. It will be seen that owing to the provision of the ring, the cake is readily tipped out from the pot. The ring (R) consists of a plurality of parts, so that it may be easily removed from the cake and in this way a washed out cake is obtained which is not distorted or damaged in any way. After washing out the cake (before the removal of the same from the can) a softening liquid, for example, a sulfo-ricinate solution, may be introduced through the funnel (U) into the spinning can and centrifugal force set up in the rotation of the can, uniformly distributes the softening liquid in the filament layers.

In order to avoid the displacement of the inner filament layers a resilient sleeve (M, Fig. 6) (but which need not be perforated), the diameter of which is capable of being easily modified, is introduced into the interior of the spinning cake after the treatments with liquid are completed so as by reason of its spring power, to lie closely against the inner filament layers of the washed out or treated cake. The sleeve (M) is of the same axial length as the cake or, at any rate, is of such length that it is suitable for employment within the cake in the spinning can, allowing the cover (W) to be applied as desired. The cake after removal from the pot, or even in the pot, may then be placed in a drying apparatus, together with the sleeve (M) and since the latter is resilient and of variable diameter, its diameter becomes automatically reduced in the mass of filaments shrinking during the drying, so that the cake is mounted rigidly on the sleeve also when in the dry state. If necessary, for increasing the spring power of the sleeve, a suitably adjustable tension device can be inserted in the interior of the sleeve (M) to assist the elasticity of the same. After drying, the cake, mounted rigidly on the sleeve, can be carried directly to the winding machine and converted into wound form, as necessary for the textile industry, without, as usual, converting the cake into strand form and then only into wound form as suitable for the textile industry by rewinding. The filaments thus produced are suitable in most cases for the production of knitted or woven fabrics or hosiery which, according to my patented process (French Patent No. 616,309, U. S. Patent No. 1,796,744) are then provided with either a dull or lustrous surface, inasmuch as this viscose silk has not been subjected to desulfurization.

If, however, it is desired to produce purified or improved, that is desulfurized, or even dyed, artificial silk in cake form by the spinning can method, then the spinning can containing the cake is set either on a rotating spindle of the can spinning machine, or on a special table provided with a rotating spindle, and the necessary desulfurizing, bleaching and, if necessary, the dyeing fluids, are introduced into the spinning can and forced through the filament layers by centrifugal force. It is desirable, however, in order to prevent misplacement of the inner filament layers in this multiple treatment of the spinning cake, to insert a sleeve similar to (M) but perforated, instead of the previously described resilient sleeve, the diameter of which is likewise adjustable, before introducing the desulfurizing, bleaching and dyeing fluids. The cake may then be dried on the thus inserted perforated sleeve as above described and carried directly from the sleeve to the winding machine for producing the wound form suitable for the textile industry. We are thus able to obtain if necessary, in one operative step, if needed, dyed artificial silk in wound Figure 8 is for use with the known form of spinning can. It is furnished exteriorly with stiffening ribs (V) at various points, in order that it shall not be forced against the walls of the spinning can and close upthe orifices therein. The externally ribbed cake rings may be multi-part rings, as in Figure 7 but with external ribs, or

single-part rings with ribs (V) as in Figure 8. If

the ring (R or R) be in one piece as in Figure 8 for example, itmust be-made elastic in order to permit it to be expanded to allow removal of the cake.

The form of spinning can shown in Figure 9 enables the subsequent treatment of the spinning cake in the can to be carried out in still simpler manner than above described and saves space and apparatus. As will be seen, this form comprises a double-walled spinning can. Only the inner wall of this double-walled can has perforations (P), and at those points only which are subsequently covered by the filament layers of the cake. The spinning bath centrifuged off passes from the perforations (P) through the passage (L) to the outlet near the spindle (S, Figure 10), on which the can is mounted. By the use of the double-walled spinning can the filaments can be washed even during the spinning, as previously described.

In order to exert no strain on the spinning machine during the subsequent treatment of the cake in the spinning can, the double-walled spinning can (Fig, 9) may be placed in a vacuum washing apparatus, as described in my Swiss Patent No. 115,282, and'as shown in Figure 10, is mounted with appropriate packing (11) on the supporting surface (Y) on the pipe (X) which leads to the vacuum passage (Y). In this apparatus the cake may be washed and also desulfurized, bleached and, if necessary, dyed and made pliable under vacuum, using the perforated sleeve (M) for the treatment and drying of the cake as described hereinabove. A purified or improved artificial filament may thus be obtained in cake form which may be converted into wound or skein form directly suitable for use in the textile industry. Such skeins, because the filaments have been already preliminarily treated in the spinning can, and even bleached or dyed, need not be further treated in strand form, whereby the artificial silk is produced easily and without waste or misplaced leese or other damage resulting from treatment in skein form.

The spinning can or pot shown in Figure 11 is useful for permitting modified treatment of the cake. It is obvious that the spinning cake, as long as it is still in the spinning can, may also be treated with subsequent treatment fluids in a manner other than that described without modifying the essence of the invention. For example, the spinning cake need not be treated at all during the spinning or may be treated only partially with washing or other treatment fluids during the spinning with the use of the ring (R or R), but the cake in the spinning can, after removal of the latter from the spinning machine and insertion of the perforated sleeve (M) may be treated at the interior of the cake in such way that, instead of the usual spinning can cover with a large opening through which the spinning funnel is inserted into the spinning can, use may be made of a cover constructed according to Figure 11. The cover (I) closes the can tightly and has suitably formed connections (II) through which the washing, and thereafter the subsequent treatment fluids, are introduced into the can. The washing and subsequent treatment liquids are passed with the necessary drop into the can through the connections (II) on cover (I) and pass through the perforated sleeve (M) to the cake through the perforated ring (R) and traverse the openings (P) of the spinning can to the exterior. The treatment liquids are collected for further use and finally prepared for regeneration and re-use as desired. After washing and subsequent treatment the cover is removed and the cake with the sleeve (M) and ring (R) tipped out together. The ring (R) is removed and the cake is dried on the flexible sleeve (M) and further treated as described above.

The constructions of spinning can described may be much less expensive than previously employed spinning cans or boxes which, as is well- 1 known, are made of aluminium and lined with ebonite or the like, or are made wholly of ebonite or some other acid resisting material. The improved cans, instead of being lined with ebonit-e or other acid resistant and smoothly polished material, may be unlined and need not be polished at all inside as will be obvious. The external sleeves (R, R) together with projections thereon, or on the interior of the can prevent all adherence of the cakes to the wall of the can under the action of centrifugal force so that the cakes can be readily removed without damage. These features combined with the internal cake sleeves (M) enable the treatment and manufacture of artificial silk to be carried out very efficiently with least possible loss from damage or breakage of the filaments.

The invention is applicable for the treatment of all kinds of artificial silk as well as other artificial formations. Not only may it be used in the manufacture of viscose filaments, including their desulfurization, but it may be employed in the production of other formations provided that the apparatus is constructed from material which is not attacked by the treatment liquids employed. For example, if artificial nitrocellulose formations are to be produced according to the dry or wet spinning method the spinning cans should be made of ebonite for instance. The freeing from copper, bleaching and so forth of cuprammonium (ammoniacal copper oxide) cellulose or the superficial saponification, bleaching and the like of cellulose-acetate filaments are possible also in ebonite spinning cans of the construction described.

I claim:-

1. Apparatus for use in the production of artificial silk and the like formations by the spinning can method, comprising an elastic sleeve adapted to be inserted within, and to bear on the inner filament layers of, a cake in a spinning can, the axial length of said sleeve allowing application of the cover of the can in its normal position when said sleeve is in said can.

2. Apparatus for use in the production of artificial silk and like formations by the spinning can method, comprising a perforated expansible and contractible sleeve adapted to be. inserted within, and to bear on the inner filament layers of, a cake in a spinning can and of an axial length substantially equal to that of the cake so as when inserted in the cake to allow application of the cover of the can in its normal position.

3. Apparatus for use in the production of artificial silk and like formations by the spinning can method, comprising a perforated ring of suitably large diameter to fit the interior of the can and exteriorly surround the spun cake in the can, and of such limited axial length as when inserted in the can to allow application of the cover of the can in its normal position.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, comprising a perforated ring which is made in separable parts.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, comprising a perforated ring which is made elastic.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, comprising external longitudinally extending ribs on the perforated ring.

7. Apparatus for use in the production of arti-- ficial silk and like formations by the spinning can method, comprising a double-walled spinning can having an outer imperforate wall and an inner perforated wall with space between such walls for passage of treatment media.

8. The combination with apparatus according to claim 7, of means for enabling the treatment media (washing water, desulfurization bath, bleaching bath, dyeing bath, reviving or brightening bath and so forth) to be drawn or forced through the space between the inner and outer Walls of the spinning can.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, comprising a lining of porous material for the elastic sleeve.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, comprising a lining of porous material for the perforated ring.

BENNO BORZYKOWSKI. 

